Unity is so... unifying.

Anyone who doesn't fly the flag right now is a jerk. Anyone who questions whether any actions of the United States government might conflict with their personal ethical code is a jerk. Unless said actions have to do with social programs or regulations of any kind, in which case they're not a jerk because they agree with you. Anyone who doesn't go right out and buy a flag is a jerk, but the flagmakers and retailers who are not giving them away, now that they've made a bigger profit than they have in years, are not jerks but capitalists.

You don't understand why someone might be able to do noble, patriotic things and not fly the flag? What is this, some kind of test? True or false: Everything that is not forbidden is required. True or false: Only people who are seen to be patriots by their displays of the proper banner love their country and will sacrifice for it. For extra credit, consider the following passage and apply it to the discussion of virtue as equivalent to public display:

And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward. [Matthew 6:5, KJV]

Right now flying the flag is the thing to do, so "everybody's doing it". I have seen kids out on the street with flags during this tragedy and having a high ol' time partying while doing it. Fencing with the little poles. Using a larger one like a blanket to throw stuffed animals in the air and catch them. Jerks or non-jerks? On Saturday I watched a car covered with flag symbols almost run down an elderly couple because its driver was so proud of America and his patriotic display that he couldn't be bothered to watch where he was going. Or maybe it was the adrenline, I don't know. Jerk or non-jerk? I've seen the Klan flying the flag. Jerks or non jerks?

The flag is a statement of patriotism for some, and a fashion statement for others. It's a symbol that means a lot of different things to different people. But as a symbol of liberty, it will mean absolutely nothing if we are required to fly it.

So much for tolerance of our differences and standing up for our common beliefs. Let's have another litmus test, shall we? I was getting tired of finding common ground anyway. Not.

Best regards--
Mary Anne